Construction toy set

Abstract

In a construction toy set, a connector unit or spider member has a central disk-shaped portion with a plurality of arms extending radially therefrom with each arm having a bulbous portion formed at the end thereof, the bulbous portion being slightly elongated in cross section in a direction transverse to the arm. A deformable plastic tube is received thereover in a manner which permits pivotal motion of the tube about the bulbous portion. The spider member has an aperture of slightly oval configuration formed in the central portion thereof for receiving a deformable plastic tube therein in frictional engagement therewith. The connector may also have a shoulder portion formed at the root of each arm for engaging the end of the plastic tube when assembled over the bulbous portion for restricting pivotal movement of the tube about the arm. A slot formed in the end of the tube permits alternate assembly thereof over the bulbous portion at substantially right angles to the arm with the slot in the end of the tube engaging the arm.

I claim: 
     
       1. A three dimensional connector for a construction toy set comprising: (a) a central hub portion having an aperture formed therein;   (b) a plurality of arms integrally with said hub portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom with each of said arms having, (i) a bulbous portion formed at the free end thereof, said bulbous portion being elongated in a direction transversely of the respective arm upon which said bulbous portion is formed;   (ii) a shoulder portion formed at the base end of each of said arms where attached to said hub, said shoulder having a width dimension in a direction transverse to said arm substantially equal to the said transverse elongation of said bulbous portion, wherein said aperture has an oval configuration and is adapted for receiving therein a resiliently deformable tubular member.     
     
     
       2. The connector defined in claim 1, wherein said hub portion has a generally flat configuration with the thickness thereof substantially less than the smaller transverse dimension of said bulbous portion. 
     
     
       3. The connector defined in claim 1, wherein said bulbous portions each have an aperture formed transversely therethrough. 
     
     
       4. The connector defined in claim 1, wherein said bulbous portions each have two generally flat spaced parallel faces disposed on opposite sides of said bulbous portion. 
     
     
       5. The connector defined in claim 1, wherein each of said bulbous portions has a substantially spherical shape and is truncated in a pair of spaced parallel faces. 
     
     
       6. A construction toy set comprising: (a) a connector having,   (i) a central hub portion with an aperture formed therein, said aperture having an oval configuration,   (ii) a plurality of arms formed integrally with said hub portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom in generally planar arrangement with said hub, with each of said arms having a bulbous portion formed at the end thereof with said bulbous portion being an elongated in a direction transversely of said arm, and,   (iii) a shoulder portion formed at the base end of said arm where attached to said hub, said shoulder having the width thereof in a direction transversely of said arm substantially equal to the said transverse elongation of said bulbous portion, and   (b) at least one tubular member formed of resiliently deformable material with the end of said tubular member received over the bulbous portion of one of said arms such that said tube is deformed transversely by said bulbous portion, said tube having a first position thereon with the end thereof spaced from said shoulder portion of said connector, said tube in said first position being pivotable and rotatable about said bulbous portion, said tube having a second position with the end thereof received over said shoulder portion of said connector in transversely deformed arrangement, said tubular member in said second position being locked to prevent pivotal movement about said arm.   
     
     
       7. The combination defined in claim 6 further comprising a second tubular member received in said oval aperture and disposed generally at right angles to the plane of said arms with the wall of said tube being transversely deformed by said oval aperture. 
     
     
       8. A construction toy set comprising: (a) a connector having   (i) a central hub portion with an aperture formed therein, said aperture having an oval configuration,   (ii) a plurality of arms formed integrally with said hub portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom in generally planar arrangement, with each of said arms having a bulbous portion formed at the free end thereof with said bulbous portion being elongated in a direction transversely of said arm.   (b) at least one tubular member formed of resiliently deformable material having a slot formed in the wall of one end thereof, with said slotted end received over the bulbous portion of one of said arms, said tubular member being disposed at generally right angles to said arm with said slot engaging said arm intermediate said bulbous portion and said hub, such that the tubular member is pivotably movable about said arm and generally at right angles thereto.   
     
     
       9. A construction toy set defined in claim 8 further comprising a second tubular member formed of resiliently deformable plastic material received in said oval aperture, said second tubular member having the transverse shape thereof deformed by said oval aperture for creating friction forces therebetween for resisting removal of said second tubular member therefrom. 
     
     
       10. A construction toy set comprising: (a) a connector having (i) a central hub portion of substantially planar configuration with an aperture formed therein, said aperture having an oval configuration;   (ii) a plurality of arms formed integrally with said hub portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom in generally planar arrangement, with each of said arms having a bulbous portion formed at the free end thereof with said bulbous portion being slightly elongated in a direction transversely of the said arm; and,     (b) a tubular member formed of resiliently deformable material received in said aperture with the transverse shape of said member being deformed to an elongated configuration with said aperture being substantially undeformed for providing frictional retention of said member therein.   
     
     
       11. The construction toy set defined in claim 10 further comprising a second tubular member formed of resiliently deformable material having the inside diameter of one end thereof received over said bulbous portion of one of said arms with the transverse shape of said tubular member being deformed to an elongated configuration with the wall thereof being substantially unstretched said bulbous portion being substantially undeformed for providing frictional retention thereon yet permitting pivotal movement of said second tubular member about said bulbous portion. 
     
     
       12. A construction toy set comprising: (a) a connector having (i) a central hub portion of substantially planar configuration,   (ii) a plurality of arms formed integrally with said hub portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom in generally planar arrangement, with each of said arms having a bulbous portion formed at the free end thereof with said bulbous portions being elongated in a direction transversely of said arm; and,     (b) a tubular member formed of resiliently deformable material having one end thereof received over said bulbous portion with the transverse shape of said member deformed to an elongated configuration with the wall thereof being substantially unstretched and with said bulbous portion being substantially undeformed for providing frictional retention thereon yet permitting pivotal movement of said tubular member about said bulbous portion.   
     
     
       13. A construction toy set comprising: (a) a connector having (i) a central hub portion,   (ii) a plurality of arms formed integrally with said hub portion and extending radially outwardly therefrom, with each of said arms having a bulbous portion formed at the free end thereof with each of said bulbous portions being elongated in a direction transversely of said arm; and,     (b) a tubular member formed of resiliently deformable material having one end thereof received over the bulbous portion of one of said arms with the transverse shape of said tubular member deformed to an elongated configuration with the wall thereof being substantially unstretched and with said bulbous portion being substantially undeformed for providing frictional retention thereon yet permitting pivotal movement of said tubular member about said bulbous portion.